Bolt startup Understory gets $1.9 million for weather detection tech

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Understory, a startup at Boston hardware program Bolt, has raised $1.9 million to roll out a new type of weather station that detects the elements at the planet’s surface.

Traditional weather centers collect data by analyzing conditions observed in the atmosphere, but risk to life and property is greatest at the earth’s surface, according to the company.

The company says it has developed technology to detect rain, hail, wind and other weather events at the surface, and as a result provide better insight and earlier detection of risks.

“More accurate weather data can impact the bottom lines of nearly every major U.S. industry, from agriculture to transportation to insurance, and broadcasters,” stated founder and chief executive Alex Kubicek in a news release, citing the increase in extreme weather attributed to climate change.

Understory will be deploying its first weather stations in the Kansas City, Mo., area, following a deal with American Family Insurance in January.

Kansas City was chosen due to its frequent severe weather events.

Understory, formerly Subsidence, joined the Bolt hardware startup program last July.

The new seed funding was led by True Ventures of Palo Alto, Calif. Other investors in the round included RRE Ventures, VegasTechFund (from Zappos chief executive Tony Hsieh), Boston-area angel investor Andrew Payne, and SK Ventures.

Kyle Alspach has worked in journalism in Massachusetts since 2005 and was one of the original staff writers at BetaBoston.
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